Hyoid Bone

Not actually part of the skull, but lies just inferior to the mandible in the anterior neck
Only bone of the body that does not articulate directly with another bone
Attachment point for neck muscles that raise and lower the larynx during swallowing
and speech

1. Vertebral Column

Formed from 26 irregular bones (vertebrae) connected in such a way that a flexible
curved structure results.

Cervical vertebrae 7 bones of the neck

Thoracicvertebrae 12 bones of the torso
Lumbarvertebrae 5 bones of the lower back
Sacrumbone inferior to the lumbar vertebrae that articulates with the hip bones

Vertebral Column
1

Vertebral Column:Curvatures.
Posteriorlyconcave curvatures cervical and lumbar (acquired)
Posteriorlyconvex curvatures thoracic and sacral (congenital)

Spinal Curves
Abnormal spine curvatures include.
2

 scoliosis (abnormal lateral curve),

kyphosis(hunchback),
and lordosis(swayback)

Vertebral Column: Ligaments

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
continuous bands down the front and back of the spine from the neck to the sacrum
Short ligaments connect adjoining vertebrae together

Vertebral Column: Ligaments

Vertebral Column: Intervertebral Discs

1.

Cushionlikepad composed of two parts

Nucleus pulposus
2.

inner gelatinous nucleus that gives the disc its elasticity and compressibility

Annulus fibrosus
3.

surrounds the nucleus pulposuswith a collar composed of collagen and fibrocartilage.

Vertebral Column: Intervertebral Discs

General Structure of Vertebrae

Bodyor centrum disc-shaped, weight-bearing region

Vertebral arch composed of pedicles and laminae that, along with the centrum,

enclose the vertebral foramen

Vertebral foramina make up the vertebral canal through which the spinal cord passes

General Structure of Vertebrae

Spinous processes project posteriorly, and transverse processes project laterally
Superior and inferior articular processes protrude superiorly and inferiorly from the
pedicle-lamina junctions

Intervertebral foramina lateral openings formed from notched areas on the superior
and inferior borders of adjacent pedicles

General Structure of Vertebrae

Cervical Vertebrae

Seven vertebrae (C1-C7) are the

smallest,
lightest vertebrae

C3-C7are distinguished with an

oval

body,
short spinous processes, and

large,

triangular
vertebral foramina

Each transverse process contains

transverse
Foramen

Thoracic Vertebrae
There are twelve vertebrae (T1-T12) all of which articulate with ribs
Major landmarks include two facets and two demifacetson the heart-shaped body, the
circular vertebral foramen, transverse processes, and a long spinoutsprocess
The location of the articulate facets prevents flexion and extension, but allows rotation
of this area of the spine

Lumbar Vertebrae

Lumbar Vertebrae
The five lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) are located in the small of the back and have an
enhanced weight-bearing function
They have short, thick pedicles and laminae, flat hatchet-shaped spinous processes,
and a triangular-shaped vertebral foramen
Orientation of articular facets locks the lumbar vertebrae together to provide stability

Sacrum
Sacrum
Consists of five fused vertebrae (S1-S5), which shape the posterior wall of the
pelvis
It articulates with L5superiorly, and with the auricular surfaces of the hip bones

 Major markings include the sacral promontory, transverse lines, alae, dorsal
sacral foramina, sacral canal, and sacral hiatus.

Coccyx
Coccyx (Tailbone)
The coccyx is made up of four (in some cases three to five) fused vertebrae that
articulate superiorly with the sacrum